Beaumont in Jefferson County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Enterprise-Journal
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, April 28, 2021
1. Enterprise-Journal Marker
Near this spot on Nov. 6, 1880, the first Beaumont Enterprise came off the press. This newspaper, founded by John W. Leonard, is southeast Texas' oldest business institution.
The Beaumont Journal, founded in August 1889, by Robert Emmett Kelley, bears the distinction of being the second oldest newspaper in this area.
The two papers, published under the same ownership since 1921, serve a Texas-Louisiana community extending from the Trinity River on the west to the Red River on the east, and from the Redlands on the north to the Gulf of Mexico.
They attained national stature under auspices of James L. and Kathryn Smythe Mapes, Alabama natives, who came to the Enterprise in 1908 and in 1931 acquired the business. Jim Mapes for two years was president of the Southern Newspaper Publishers Association. When he died in 1936, he willed stock to key employees. Mrs. Mapes then served as president, and upon her death in 1948 left the majority stock in trust to her grandnephew, Robert E. Myers.
Impartial presentation of the news and responsibility to the public welfare continue as the hallmarks
this page online
Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 10513.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is November 6, 1880.
Location. 30° 5.136′ N, 94° 5.932′ W. Marker is in Beaumont, Texas, in Jefferson County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Mulberry Street when traveling north on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 380 Walnut Street, Beaumont TX 77701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Central Fire Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Sanders House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Westminster Presbyterian Church Of Beaumont (about 400 feet away); Noah Tevis (about 500 feet away); Young Women's Christian Association of Beaumont (about 500 feet away); Travis Street Substation (about 600 feet away); First United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); First National Bank Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaumont.
Photographed By Cajun Scrambler, April 28, 2021
2. Enterprise-Journal Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 151 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2021, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
